Best Buy On Demand

Best Buy said it will sell on-demand access to movies and TV shows through some Blu-ray players, high-definition TVs and personal computers. The biggest U.S. consumer-electronic seller said its new CinemaNow service will offer same-day instant access to new-release movies and TV shows beginning this month through all new connected Blu-ray Disc players and home-theatre systems from LG Electronics. The service is expected to launch on devices from various other manufacturers, including Insignia, later this year.

“With the introduction of CinemaNow, Best Buy continues our commitment to evolve with our customers as their demand for digital entertainment grows,” said Chris Homeister, senior vice president of entertainment for Best Buy.

Best Buy said the initial product will be followed by an improved and updated version later this year. CinemaNow is the product of a collaboration between Best Buy and Sonic Solutions, which had traditionally provided software used to format, press and distribute about 90 per cent of DVD and Blu-ray discs but recently teamed up with Best Buy for the transition to downloadable content.